Pacific Deaf-Blind Project
Project Description:
Purpose/Need:
The Pacific Partnerships for Deaf-Blind Technical Assistance Services Project represents a partnership between the Center on Disability Studies (CDS), University Center on Excellence at the University of Hawaii and the outlying Pacific jurisdictions of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap), Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau. The purpose of the project is to increase the capacity of educational agencies to improve the results for children and young adults who are deaf-blind and their families to live, go to school, play, work and have friends in their communities.
Objectives/Major Activities:
Project activities will increase identification of children and young adults who are deaf-blind or at-risk for becoming deaf-blind; will increase the knowledge and skills of personnel; will result in systemic change and improved services; will build local capacity; and will produce effective outcomes for children and young adults who are deaf-blind and their families. To ensure success the Project will utilize the following strategies, the development of child-focused Participatory Action Teams (PATs), use of distance learning technology, annual Summer Institute, enhance work of the Interagency Leadership Councils, and development culturally responsive process to empower and support families and consumers.
Unsual Features:
This is the only project in the Pacific working to support children and young adults who are deaf-blind and their families and service providers.
Expected benefits:
The Project will impact every child and young adult who is deaf-blind and their families and service providers in the outer Pacific. It is estimated that 80 family members and 100 service providers will receive training and technical assistance on research-based effective practices that are adapted to specifically meet the needs of this culturally and educationally diverse population of children and their families
Keyword(s):
pacific deaf-blind project
Core Function(s):
Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Territory, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Regional, National, International
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
